Portable elbow support

ABSTRACT

A portable elbow support having a hangar portion, a horizontal stabilizing portion, a vertical stabilizing portion, a support platform, and an elbow receiving portion that is coupled to the support platform.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention is related to portable ergonomic support devices,and more specifically, to a portable elbow support.

[0002] When traveling, whether by automobile, plane, train, bus or othermeans, the seating provided does not always allow the traveler to be ascomfortable as he or she would like. Further, certain travelers mayprefer to sleep during such travel, another activity not always easilyachieved by the accommodations provided. Many travelers have becomeaccustomed to bringing along devices to make them more comfortable, suchas specifically designed headrests or pillows. However, some travelersmay prefer to sleep in a position not amenable to the use of a pillow orheadrest.

[0003] The inventor has discovered that particular individuals, whentraveling as a passenger in an automobile, prefer to sleep leaningforward in their seat, resting their elbow and arm along the door or armrest, and resting their head on their hand. Such a “forward sleeping”position is generally not easily accommodated by the design of mostvehicles. First, many vehicles completely lack arm rests on which thetraveler could rest its elbow or arm. In those vehicles that do includearm rests, the arm rests are generally not in a position to be utilizedas an elbow support for such forward sleeping. Even where aftermarketarmrests may be available, they are generally designed strictly as ahorizontal arm support at the top of the door, for the comfort of thedriver, and are not designed to accommodate forward sleeping.

[0004] Thus there exists the need for a portable elbow support which maybe used in a variety of vehicles and may be attached to a variety ofstructures, to provide a comfortable support for travelers wishing tosleep in a forward position.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The present invention is a portable elbow support adapted forattachment to a variety of structures.

[0006] One aspect of an embodiment of this invention is that the elbowsupport is portable, and may be attached to a wide variety ofstructures.

[0007] Another aspect of an embodiment of the invention is that theposition of the elbow support may be adjusted, to accommodate both avariety of travelers, and a variety of vehicles.

[0008] Another aspect of an embodiment of the invention is that theelbow support has a universal attachment mechanism, which enables it tobe attached to a variety of different vehicles.

[0009] Another aspect of an embodiment of the invention is that it isportable, and may easily be attached, removed, adjusted or repositioned.

[0010] Another aspect of an embodiment of the invention is that itincludes stabilizing portions to maintain the proper position of thesupport, and prevent unwanted tilting, wobbling or rotating.

[0011] Many of the attendant features of this invention will be morereadily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by referenceto the following detailed description and considered in connection withthe accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the presentinvention.

[0013]FIG. 2 is a top view of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0014]FIG. 3 is a section view of an embodiment of the presentinvention.

[0015]FIG. 4 is a top view of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0016]FIG. 5 is a section view of an embodiment of the presentinvention.

[0017]FIG. 6 is a top view of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0018]FIG. 7 is a section view of an embodiment of the presentinvention.

[0019]FIG. 8 is a top view of the support platform of an embodiment ofthe present invention.

[0020]FIG. 9 is a section view of the support platform of an embodimentof the present invention.

[0021]FIG. 10 is a side view of the support platform of an embodiment ofthe present invention.

[0022]FIG. 11 is a side view of the support platform of an embodiment ofthe present invention.

[0023]FIG. 12 is a side view of an alternative embodiment of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] As illustrated in FIG. 1, in one embodiment of the presentinvention, the support includes several components. First, the supportincludes a means for attaching the support to a structure. FIG. 1illustrates an embodiment utilizing a flexible hangar 100 attaching thesupport 10 to a vehicle door. In one embodiment, the hangar 100 isconstructed from rubber. However, in other embodiments, the hangar isconstructed from plastic, nylon, polymer, fabric or other flexiblematerial. In another embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the hangar100 b is rigid. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art thatin addition to such hangars, in other embodiments the attachment meansinclude clamps, hooks, wires, screws, rivets, adhesives, brackets,pillars, columns, bases, and other attachment methods known in the art.Further, the support may be removably attached, to allow repositioningand/or removal, and subsequent attachment to another support, or it maybe fixedly attached to a structure. In addition, it may be attached in away that utilizes some permanent components and some removablecomponents. For example, in one embodiment, mating hook and loopfastener portions (such as VELCRO by Velcro Industries B.V. CorporationNetherlands, Castorweg 22 24 Curacao, Netherland Antilles) areadhesively attached to the support and to the structure. The support maythen be attached to the structure by bringing together the matingportions, or may be removed by taking apart the mating portions. It willbe appreciated by those skilled in the art that the type of attachmentmeans chosen for the particular embodiment may be selected to bestcomplement the type of structure to which the support is intended to beattached.

[0025] As further illustrated in FIG. 1, in one embodiment of thepresent invention, the support 10 further includes a horizontalstabilizing portion 200, a vertical stabilizing portion 300, a supportplatform 400, and an elbow receiving portion 500. Please note that inorder to maintain continuity in the description of the variousembodiments, similar features of the various embodiments have beendescribed with similar reference numerals. In one embodiment, thehorizontal stabilizing portion 200 is constructed from plastic. In otherembodiments, the horizontal stabilizing portion 200 is constructed ofmetal, nylon, polymer, laminates, reinforced fiber, rubber, or acomposite material. In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, thehorizontal stabilizing portion 200 includes a lower surface portion 210,preferably constructed from a resilient material such as foam. It willbe appreciated by those skilled in the art that while this embodimentuses a resilient foam, in other embodiments this lower surface 210 isconstructed from rubber, fabric, felt, nylon, gel, polymer, or plastic.The lower surface provides a cushioning support to the horizontalstabilizing portion 200, which acts to dampen and absorb shocks andvibrations, prevents damage to the portion of the support with which itis in contact, and to at least partially conform to the shape of thesupport with which it is in contact with to provide increased stability.It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that other materialswhich provide such features may also be used to construct the lowersurface 210. In another embodiment, shown in FIG. 2, the horizontalstabilizing portion 200 includes extensions 220. Although triangularextensions are shown, it will be appreciated that the extensions mayalso be square, rectangular, round, or any other shape that will provideadditional stability. Where additional stability is not necessary, suchextensions 220 may be omitted.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 3, in one embodiment, the vertical stabilizingportion 300 is constructed from plastic. In other embodiments, thevertical stabilizing portion 300 is constructed of metal, nylon,polymer, laminates, reinforced fiber, rubber, or a composite material.In another embodiment, the vertical stabilizing portion is adapted tomatch the contour of the structure to which it is attached, such as acar door. In one such embodiment, the vertical stabilizing portion usesa flexible, louvered design (not shown). In the embodiment shown in FIG.2, the vertical stabilizing portion 300 also includes extensions 320 foradded stability. In other embodiments, the extensions are round, square,rectangular or any other shape that provides additional stability. Inanother embodiment, where additional stability is not needed, theextensions 320 are omitted.

[0027] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the vertical stabilizingportion 300 includes an interior surface portion 310, preferablyconstructed from a resilient material such as foam. In otherembodiments, the interior surface 310 is constructed from rubber,fabric, felt, nylon, gel, polymer, or plastic. The lower surfaceprovides a cushioning support to the vertical stabilizing portion 300,which acts to dampen and absorb shocks and vibrations, prevents damageto the portion of the support with which it is in contact, and to atleast partially conform to the shape of the support with which it is incontact with to provide increased stability. It will be appreciated bythose skilled in the art that other materials which provide suchfeatures may also be used to construct the interior surface 310.

[0028] In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-3, the flexible hangar 100 islowered down the window frame between the car door and the window glass.In one embodiment, the length of the flexible hangar 100 is apredetermined length based on the specific type of vehicle in which itwill be used. In another embodiment, the length of the flexible hangar100 is a predetermined substantially universal length to accommodate usein a variety of vehicle types. The flexible hangar 100 is lowered untilthe lower surface 210 of the horizontal stabilizing portion 200 of thesupport 10 is adjacent the top of the door structure, and until theinterior surface 310 of the vertical stabilizing portion 300 is adjacentthe side of the door structure. In this embodiment, the flexible hangar100 includes retaining means 110 which frictionally engage the windowsurface to retain the hangar 100 and the entire support 10 in place. Itwill be appreciated that the width of the hangar 100 and the number ofretaining means 110 may be varied depending on the specific application.In this embodiment, the retaining means are rubber fins or vanes whichengage the window surface. In other embodiments, the retaining means 110of the hangar are fins of nylon, plastic, polymer or fabric. In yetother embodiments, the retaining means are adhesives, suction cups, orfoam.

[0029] The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3 also includes a supportplatform 400, constructed from plastic. In other embodiments, thesupport platform 400 is constructed of metal, nylon, polymer, laminates,reinforced fiber, rubber, or a composite material. The support platform500 supports the elbow receiving portion 500. In the embodiment shown inFIG. 3, the elbow receiving portion 500 is rotatably coupled to thesupport platform through connector 410 and plate 510. In thisembodiment, the plate 510 is attached to the elbow receiving portion500. The plate 510 receives the connector 410, which in this embodimentis a spindle, allowing the elbow receiving portion 500 to rotate. In oneembodiment, such as shown in FIG. 10, the spindle further includes alocking mechanism 420, which locks the spindle to the plate 510 and theelbow receiving portion 500. In this embodiment, the elbow receivingportion is biased downward by a spring 430. In another embodiment shownin FIG. 11, the elbow receiving portion is biased downward only bygravity.

[0030] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the plate 510 includes notches520, 530 adapted to receive mating tabs or protrusions from the supportplatform, thereby locking the plate and receiving portion in place andpreventing rotation. In the embodiment shown, the elbow receivingportion may be locked in place in either of two positions, so that thesupport may be used for passengers on the right or left side of avehicle. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, in another embodiment the tab 550slides horizontally on the support platform 400, from a non-engagedposition to an engaged position, thereby locking the plate in position.In another embodiment, the tabs are spring biased into the engagedposition. Notches 520, 530 on the plate 510 are provided to receive thetab 550 at desired positions. Additional notches 540, 545 may beprovided to fix the plate in additional positions. It will beappreciated that more or fewer notches may be used, depending on theparticular application.

[0031] In another embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the tabs 560are fixed and oriented vertically, substantially perpendicular to thesupport platform. Mating notches 570 on the plate receive the tabs,locking the plate in place. To rotate the plate, it is lifted up todisengage the tabs, rotated to the desired position, then placed backdown on the tabs. In one embodiment, four tabs are located on thesupport platform, and four notches on the plate, located 90 degreesapart. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that thenumber of tabs may be varied, depending on the desired number ofpositions of the plate. In another embodiment, one or more set screws(not shown) are used to hold the plate in place. In another embodiment,a ratchet mechanism (not shown) allows the plate to rotate betweenselected positions. In another embodiment, the elbow receiving portion500 is fixedly attached to the support platform 500.

[0032] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the elbow receiving portion500 includes a liner 540. In one embodiment, the liner is constructed ofa resilient material such as foam to provide a comfortable surface tothe user. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that othermaterials, or combinations of material, may also be used for the liner,such a gel, nylon, plastic, fabric, polymers, elastics, rubber orsynthetics. In one embodiment, the liner 540 is removably attached tothe receiving portion 500, allowing the liner to be easily replaced ifworn, or if a different color liner is desired, or the liner may beremoved for washing.

[0033] It will be further appreciated that in the present invention, thelocation of the support platform may be varied while still defining thepresent invention. For example, FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment withthe support platform located at the base of the vertical stabilizingportion. FIGS. 5 and 7 illustrate an embodiment where the supportplatform is located at the top of the vertical stabilizing portion. FIG.12 illustrates yet another embodiment, with the support platform locatedcentrally along the vertical stabilizing portion. It will be appreciatedthat in the present invention, the support platform may be locatedanywhere along the length of the vertical stabilizing portion.

[0034]FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment where the hangar 100 a isflexible. In this embodiment, the support platform 400 a is located atthe upper end of the vertical stabilizing portion 300 a, adjacent thehorizontal stabilizing portion 200 a. The horizontal stabilizing portionincludes a lower surface 210 a. The vertical stabilizing portionincludes an interior surface 310 a.

[0035] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the hangar 100 b is rigidrather than flexible. In this embodiment, the hangar further includes aninterior surface portion 120, similar to the lower surface portion 210 bof the horizontal stabilizing portion 200 b, or the interior surfaceportion 310 b of the vertical stabilizing portion 300 b.

[0036] In another embodiment, the length of the horizontal stabilizingportion is adjustable. It will be appreciated by those skilled in theart that such adjustment may be accomplished in a variety of ways,depending on the particular application. In one embodiment, thehorizontal stabilizing portion includes an adjustable telescopingportion. In another embodiment, a ratchet mechanism is used to regulatemovement. In either embodiment, a locking feature, such as a releasebutton or set screw, may be used to preclude movement. It will beappreciated that other adjustment mechanisms known in the art may alsobe used in conformance with the present invention.

[0037] In another embodiment (not shown), the support platform supportsstorage compartments in addition to the elbow receiving portion.

[0038] Although the invention has been described in detail withreference to several embodiments, those having ordinary skill in the artwill appreciate that various modifications can be made without departingfrom the scope and spirit of the invention.

[0039] Accordingly, the invention is defined with reference to thefollowing claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A portable elbow support, comprising: a hangarportion; a horizontal stabilizing portion; a vertical stabilizingportion; a support platform; and an elbow receiving portion, coupled tothe support platform.
 2. A portable elbow support as in claim 1, whereinthe hangar portion is flexible.
 3. A portable elbow support as in claim1, wherein the hangar portion is substantially rigid.
 4. A portableelbow support as in claim 1, wherein the elbow receiving portion isrotatably coupled to the support platform.
 5. A portable elbow supportas in claim 2, further comprising one or more tabs on the supportplatform.
 6. A portable elbow support as in claim 1, further comprisinga plate coupled between the elbow receiving portion and the supportplatform.
 7. A portable elbow support as in claim 6, wherein the plateis disc shaped.
 8. A portable elbow support as in claim 6, furthercomprising one or more notches on the plate.
 9. A portable elbow supportas in claim 6, further comprising one or more tabs on the supportplatform adapted to mate with one or more notches on the plate.
 10. Aportable elbow support as in claim 9, wherein the tabs are slidablehorizontally along the support platform.
 11. A portable elbow support asin claim 6, further comprising a spindle coupling the support platformto the receiving portion, through the plate.
 12. A portable elbowsupport as in claim 11, wherein the spindle includes a lockingmechanism.
 13. A portable elbow support as in claim 1, wherein thesupport platform is constructed of plastic.
 14. A portable elbow supportas in claim 1, wherein the hangar is adapted to attach to an automobiledoor.
 15. A portable elbow support as in claim 1, wherein the hangar isadapted to attach to a window.
 16. A portable elbow support as in claim1, further comprising resilient material along the vertical stabilizingportion.
 17. A portable elbow support as in claim 1, further comprisingresilient material along the horizontal stabilizing portion.
 18. Aportable elbow support as in claim 1, further comprising a storagecompartment.
 19. A portable elbow support, comprising: a horizontalsupport platform; a vertical portion, coupled to and substantiallyperpendicular to the horizontal support platform; an elbow receivingportion, coupled to the horizontal support platform; and a means forattaching the support to a structure.
 20. A portable elbow support,comprising: a flexible hangar portion; a horizontal stabilizing portion,coupled to the flexible hangar portion; a vertical stabilizing portion,in contact with and substantially perpendicular to the horizontalstabilizing portion; a horizontal support platform; and an elbowreceiving portion, coupled to the support platform.